Pakistan rejects new US sanctions on its missile programme as ‘discriminatory’

KARACHI: Pakistan has strongly reacted to the US decision to impose sanctions on the National Development Complex and three commercial entities, calling the move “unfortunate and biased” and warning that such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of the South Asian region and beyond.

The new sanctions have been imposed weeks before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. While the US opposes Pakistan’s missile programme, analysts believe it treats India’s long-range missiles programme differently.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement tweeted by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar late on Wednesday night said: “Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia.”

“The latest installment of sanctions defies the objective of peace and security by aiming to accentuate military asymmetries. Such policies have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond,” the statement said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the fact that Pakistan’s strategic programme is a sacred trust bestowed by 240 million people upon its leadership. “The sanctity of this trust, held in the highest esteem across the entire political spectrum, cannot be compromised.”

The statement further said: “We also regret the imposition of sanctions on private commercial entities. Similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever. While claiming strict adherence to non-proliferation norms, licensing requirement for advanced military technology to other countries have been waived off in the past.”

It said: “Such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the United States said it was imposing additional sanctions related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, targeting four entities that it said were contributing to the proliferation or delivery of such weapons.

“The United States will continue to act against proliferation and associated procurement activities of concern,” the US Department of State said in a statement.

“In light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan’s long-range missile development, the United States is designating four entities for sanctions pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery,” it said.

The statement further said, “Pakistan’s National Development Complex – which is responsible for Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and has worked to acquire items to advance Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program – and Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise – which have worked to supply equipment and missile-applicable items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, including its long range missile program – are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 Section 1(a)(ii) for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer, or use such items, by Pakistan.”

In September, Mathew Miller had said in a press briefing that “it has been our longstanding policy to deny support to Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, and we will continue to use our sanctions and other – our other tools to ensure our national security cannot be – cannot be impacted, and that the US financial system cannot be used by proliferators.”